Shotshell having wad with enhanced fin deployment

ABSTRACT

A shotgun shell has a polymer wad with a forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in a casing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and a primer in a head of the casing. The propellant cup having a plurality of fins extending rearwardly that open to a deployed position upon firing and the shot cup having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned linear slit segments that permit air to circulate and permit expansion of the shot cup.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 17/188,246filed Mar. 1, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 10,935,354filed Oct. 9, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No.15/884,227 filed Jan. 30, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No.9,879,957, filed Oct. 17, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Application No. 62/242,177 filed Oct. 15, 2015, the entire contents ofeach are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shotshell or shotgun cartridges typically comprise a propellant charge,a wad and a shot load, all of which are contained within a plastic orpaper shell reinforced at one end with a metal case head to contain anddirect the created propellant gases through the opposite end of thecartridge. The shotgun wad typically comprises an injection moldedpolymer body that obturates against the barrel during firing to preventescape of propellant gases around the slug or through the shot. The wadoften comprises a forward facing cup portion with wings that containsthe shot or slug as the shot travels through the barrel. Upon exitingthe barrel, aerodynamic drag on the cup portion or the flaring of thefins slows the wad separating the wad from the slug or shot and freeingthe projectile(s) to travel onto the target alone.

A primary consideration is determining the performance of a shot loadedshotshell cartridge is determining the maximum effective range at whichthere is sufficient shot density to accurately strike a target. Astandard measurement for determining the effective range of the shotguncartridge is patterning or measuring the percentage of shot that strikeswithin a 30 inch circle at 40 yards or other predetermined distance. Thetightness of the pattern or the percentage of shot that strikes withinthe circle can be affected by the size and shape of the shot, the sizeof the propellant load and the separation point between the wad and theshot. For the purposes of this disclosure, the separation point is thepoint during flight in which wad dispenses the shot load from the cupportion. To the extent that the separation point can be delayed, theeffective range can be extended. However, in conventional wads, thelonger the wad remains with the shot during flight, the greater thelikelihood that the wad flight will be unstable and will yaw orotherwise have a non-straight flight and will worsen the patterning ofthe shot load or produce an irregular shot pattern.

Thus the forward wings on the shot cup that deploy almost immediatelyafter leaving the muzzle causing significant aerodynamic drag uponleaving the muzzle with n intended separation point as close to the endof the muzzle as possible.

In certain wads, the wad is commonly formed by four separate wingstogether defining the walls of the forward cup. The wings flare openimmediately upon leaving the muzzle to slow the wad and release the loadas soon as possible. Similarly, certain shotgun chokes, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,581, slow the wad as the wad passes thechoke to begin to separate the shot from the load even before the wadexits the muzzle. In both configurations, the wad is rapidly slowed tofacilitate a separation point as close to the muzzle of the barrel aspossible.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,484 provided a meaningful advancement in maintainingflight stability of the wad with shot permitting wad separation furtherdown the flight path. This is commercially sold as the FLIGHTCONTROL®wad. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wad 30 as disclosed in the ‘484patent is depicted. The wad design provides a dual cup, with a forwardshot cup portion 32 and a rearward propellant cup portion 34. Thepropellant cup portion with fins 40 flares when the wad with shot leavesthe muzzle due to high muzzle pressure behind the wad, see FIG. 3 .Initially, the high propellant gas pressure as the wad and shot areleaving the barrel is sufficient to momentarily fold the fins forward.The fins then retract to a flared flight position where the fins slowthe wad down releasing the shot. The flaring is facilitated by axialcuts 42 in the propellant cup. The flared fins provide stabilization ofthe wad with shot traveling down the flight path. Additionally, wallsegments 44 in the forward shot cup portion open for providingcompaction relief of the shot in the shot cup portion facilitating evendispersal and more consistent shot departure from the shot cup. Severalmanufacturers have adopted features disclosed in the ‘484 patent. The‘484 patent is owned by the applicant of the instant application and isincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

It has been recognized that different shotgun shells which utilize therear cup portion fins and the side opening window as disclosed in the6,260,484 patent often exhibit inconsistent patterns when the cartridgesare fired in shotguns with ported chokes. See FIG. 4 which representsthe failure of the fins to deploy and the resulting instability of thewad and shot. Also, refer to FIG. 5 that illustrates the reduced barrelpressure 48 available to deploy fins at the wad and shot exit pointcompared to non-choked pressures 50.

See also US 2013/0228090, owned by the owner of the instant applicationand incorporated herein by reference addressing the advantages ofseparating the center of pressure and the center of gravity for wadflight stability and certain advantages of using different polymers forthe forward shot cup and rearward propellant cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the instant application have determined that theconventional wall segments in the forward shot cup, in combination withthe flared propellant cups, contribute to inconsistent patterns in thatthey move the center of pressure forwardly and make for an instableprojectile. This then may cause the wad with shot therein to yaw ortumble, dramatically effecting the shot pattern. Moreover, such wallsegments can be hung up on ported chokes damaging the wad and affectingthe performance of the wad and consequently the shot pattern.

In embodiments of the invention, a shotgun shell has a polymer wad witha forward shot cup portion and a rearward propellant cup, the wad in acasing, shot in the shot cup, propellant in the propellant cup, and aprimer. The rearward propellant cup portion having enhanced findeployment such that the shells are operative with shotguns with nochokes, shotguns with ported chokes, and shotguns with conventionalchokes. Additionally, in embodiments of the disclosure, the forward shotcup portion has axial slits that are sized to preclude shot from passingtherethrough while providing sufficient air circulation to providecompaction relief of the shot pack. In embodiments, further means areprovided for retaining the fins uniformly angled rearwardly in an openposition as the wad travels down range. Said means for retaining thefins uniformly angled in an open position also does not inhibit the finopening action when the respective cartridge is used in a wide range ofbarrel pressures provided by choked and non-choked shotguns, therebyproviding the desirable consistent fin flaring independent of the gun inwhich the cartridge is fired.

In embodiments of the invention, a shotshell cartridge wad has a forwardshot cup and a rearward propellant cup, each respectively partiallydefined by a wad partition portion. The rearward cup having a pluralityof deployable fins extending from the partition portion, the deployablefins having a reduced resistance to opening, compared to conventionalwads, by suitably configuring a hinge region connecting the fins to thewad partition portion. Additionally, a means for retaining the fins inan open position is provided. In embodiments the means is a rearwardprojecting portion or portions within the interior of the rearward cupand includes a plurality of gussets extending at a plurality of thedeployable fines at an interior corner defined by the wad partitionportion and the plurality of fins. In embodiments, rearward projectingportion or portions is configured as a star shaped projecting arraycentrally positioned on the partition portion with projecting raysextending towards the respective plurality of fins. In embodiments thegusset array has a central portion from which each gusset is connected.Each gusset configured as a web which utilizes the mechanical advantageof the length of each fin with the web near the hinge point to strainthe web past the polymer yield point thereby stretching and lengtheningthe web between the partition portion and the fin, such that respectivefin is inhibited from returning to the undeployed position. Utilizationof the mechanical advantage to stretch the web allows effectivedeployment of the fins and outward retention of the fins under a wider awider operating range of barrel pressures than prior art wads.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is that the central portion maybe positioned at an injection molding gate providing for an efficientmold design facilitating the injection molding process of the wad. Thegate being centrally positioned with the gussets providing a moltenpolymer flow path enhancing the size of the flow path, compared toconventional wads, to the forward cup portion and the rearward fins.

In embodiment of the invention, the rearward fins of a shotshellcartridge each having a central internal gusset at a bend zone such thatupon exiting the muzzle of a shotgun with a ported choke the fins bendsufficiently to cause the polymer of the gusset to yield, therebystretching the gusset. This inhibits the gusset from returning to theunflared position, and facilitates maintaining the fins in a flaredposition. Thus a feature and advantage of embodiments is that ashotshell cartridge with a wad with a shot cup and a propellant cupportion with fins on the propellant cup portion defined by longitudinalslits extending from the rearward edge toward the partition portion. Thefins each having a bend zone allowing the fins to open upon leaving amuzzle of a shotgun from which the cartridge is fired, the wad furtherhaving a means for retaining the fins in an open positions. Inembodiments, said means is a gusset extending between a plurality of thefins and the partition portion, the gusset having a yield point understress condition, wherein when the yield point is exceeded the gussetpermanently extends. Wherein when the cartridge containing the wad isfired in a choked shotgun, the fins deploy sufficiently to pass theyield point to thereby inhibit the return of the respective fins totheir original undeployed position.

In embodiments of the invention, a separate component moves axially uponfiring to provide a bias to fins to urge or force the fins outwardlyupon leaving the muzzle. In embodiments, the separate component isconfigured as a disk in the propellant cup portion that moves uponignition of the propellant forwardly in the cup portion to engage camsurfaces of the fins proximate or at their bend zones urging the finsoutward. As the wad travels down the barrel, the disk and fins at thecam surfaces are compressed radially outward but the fins are precludedfrom flaring outward due to the constraints of the barrel. Upon exitfrom the muzzle, the fins are forced outward by the disk and by theexpanding propellant gases. As the fins flare outwardly the disk caninhibit the return of the fins to their prefire undeployed position andcan provide a seating position for the fins at a precise angularposition with respect to the axis.

In embodiments, the disk may be a positioned in the shot cup portionspaced from the bottom of the cup portion. The fins may have a hingeline or hinge region near the rearward of the disk. Upon firing theinertia of the shot pushes the disk rearwardly where it may engage camsurfaces on the fins to provide a sustained force urging them outwardly.Upon exiting the barrel, the fins deploy outwardly and the wind providedby the moving wad and shot facilitates complete deployment.

In embodiments, the component may be a dome shaped component in thepropellant cup portion that upon compression, radially expands therebyproviding a sustained radial compressive force on each of the finsproximate bend zones of the fins. Upon exiting the muzzle, the radialcompressive force causes or contributes to the fins flaring outwardly.Additionally or alternatively, the component can secure the fins in theflared position by obstructing their return to the unflared position.The component may be secured in a seated position by catches on thecomponent and/or wad, for example circumferential ribs on a centralstem. A feature and advantage of embodiments utilizing an axiallymovable component is that associated with the component an axial spaceprovides a buffer between the expanding propellant gases and the shotthat can reduce shot deformation and over compaction in the shot cupportion.

In embodiments, the fins may be positioned close to the base or bottomof the shot cup, and there may be an abbreviated cup portion or nopropellant cup portion connected to the shot cup. A disk that is pushedforward upon firing provides outward radial pressure to fins near a bendzone such that they are urged outwardly and upon exiting the muzzlerelease to a flared position.

In embodiments of the invention, the fins are configured to havepredefined fold zones defined by thinning of material or thickening ofmaterial at an intended fold line whereby they fold at a much widerrange of pressures, in particular, at lower muzzle pressures.

In embodiments of the invention, the propellant cup portion has aplurality of forward facing fins with a bend region positioned proximatethe rearward edge of the wads. The fins are separated by axiallyextending wall sections that support the bend regions at the rearwardedge. The fins are defined by a U-shaped cut with the “U” open endfacing rearwardly. Upon exiting the muzzle, the gas expansion forcesopen the window such that bend regions are defined at the junctures ofthe fins and the axially extending wall sections.

In embodiments the cup portion and shot cup portion may be formed ofdifferent materials and joined together such as be welding or byovermolding. This allows use of a readily expandable propellant cupportion with fins, and a much stronger, more rigid shot cup portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art shotshell wad.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art shotshell wad with finsdeployed.

FIG. 3 is a prior art view of a wad with shot being fired from a shotgunand with the fins of the wad bent forward due to the propellant gaspressure on exit from the barrel and then with the fins retracted to adeployed position during flight.

FIG. 4 is a prior art view of a wad with shot being fired from a shotgunwith a ported choke and with the fins of the wad not deployed due to thebarrel pressure drop due to the ported choke and the resulting unstableflight.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the barrel pressure drop due to the portedchoke.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a shotshell with a wad according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an end perspective view of the shot cup portion of a wadaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an end perspective view of the propellant cup portion of thewad of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the propellant cup portion of thewad of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the wad of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the wad of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective end view image of the wad of FIG. 7 with thefins deployed.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view image of the wad with the deployedfins of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is perspective view of a wad according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is an end perspective view of the wad of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the wad of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 17 is a perspective view image of a fired wad as illustrated inFIG. 14 with the fins deployed.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a wad according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the wad of FIG. 18 with shot and a diskafter the wad and shot leave the muzzle and with the fins deployed.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the wad and shot of FIG. 19 with theshot leaving the shot cup portion of the wad.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of the wad of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of the wad of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a wad according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective shaded view of the wad of FIG. 23 .

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the wad of FIG. 23 .

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a wad according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 27 is an elevational image of a wad as illustrated in FIG. 26 witha cutaway portion of the cup portion illustrating a disk.

FIG. 28 is a perspective image of the wad of FIG. 27 with the finsdeployed.

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view of a wad with a dome shaped disk inthe propellant cup portion according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 30 is a cross sectional view of the wad of FIG. 29 with the domecollapsed by the ignition of the propellant creating an outward force onthe fins. In this view the wad would still be in the barrel and the finsconstrained from deploying.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 6 , a shotshell cartridge 50 is illustrated in thefiring chamber 52 of a barrel 54 of a shotgun 56. The shotshellcartridge 50 is comprised of a wad 60, casing 62, a casing head 64, aprimer 68, propellant 70 and shot 72. The wad has a propellant cupportion 78, a partition 80, and a shot cup portion 82.

The wad 60 is shown in detail in prefiring position or form in FIGS.7-11 . The propellant cup portion has a tubular portion 85 with axiallyextending linear slits 86 that define circumferentially arranged fins 90therebetween that extend rearwardly from a bend region 91. The wad has acentral axis α and the components of the wad are unitary with oneanother. The propellant cup portion has an interior 92, a bottom 94 atthe partition, side walls 96, an interior surface 97, and an exteriorsurface 98. Each of the fins has an interior gusset 100 configured as aweb extending from a forward portion 104 of the fin to a central region106 on the bottom 94 of the cup portion. The gussets may be a portion ofa star-shaped projection 101 with a plurality of rays 102 extending froma central projection portion 103. The central projection positioned atthe center of the bottom inside surface of the propellant cup portion.

The wad is formed of a polymer such as polyethylene and the gussets areunitarily formed therewith. In the pre fired form or state as shown inFIGS. 6-11 , the web provides rigidity to the propellant cup. The webhas a mid-portion 112 that is positioned intermediate the gusset portionon the fins and the gusset portion on the bottom. Upon firing, the finsare forced such that the rotate to a yield position as shown in FIG. 3as the wad leaves the muzzle by the barrel pressure acting within thecup and the gussets are stretched and elongated beyond their yield pointsuch that they do not have any resilience or sufficient resilience toreturn the fins to their prefired state. Moreover, the gusset has beenelongated and thereby inhibits the closing of the fins. Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13 , the fins are deployed and are in a relatively fixeddeployment position due to the elongated gusset. The initial deploymentcaused by the expanding propellant gasses just as the wad exits thebarrel will typically be at least 90 degrees.

Referring to FIGS. 14-17 , another embodiment is depicted. This wad 110has a propellant cup portion 112, a shot portion 114, and a partition116. The fins 118 in this embodiment extend forwardly from a rear edgeregion 120 of the cup portion 112. Upon firing the shotshell cartridgecontaining the wad, the propellant in the propellant cup portion ignitesand generates expanding propellant gas. The gas pushes outwardly againstthe fins and when the wad exits the barrel, the fins rotate open aboutthe rear edge region to a deployed state or form as depicted in FIG. 17. The shot portion has slit segments 122 that extend in one direction,axially, and are spaced from the forward edge of the wad. The slitsallow air to enter/circulate the shot cup portion to uncompact the shottherein. The slits also permit some circumferential expansion of theshot cup portion after the wad leaves the barrel.

Referring to FIGS. 18-22 , an embodiment of a wad 140 that has a shotcup portion 142, a partition 144, and a propellant cup portion 146 thatis abbreviated compared to the propellant cup portion of the previousembodiments. A disk 150 may be positioned in the shot cup portion spacedfrom the bottom 154 of the cup portion. The fins may have a hinge lineor hinge region 158 near the rearward edge portion 162 of the disk 150.Upon firing the inertia of the shot pushes the disk rearward, withrespect to the wad traveling forward, where it may engage cam surfaces162 on the fins, providing a sustained force thereto, urging the finsoutwardly about the hinge region 158. Upon exiting the barrel, thesustained force continues and the fins deploy outwardly. The windprovided by the moving wad and shot facilitates complete deployment ofthe fins, the fins are inhibited from overly rotating rearwardly by astop surface 162 on the shot cup portion 142. After the shot exits thewad, the wad slows, the fins may partially retract. Apertures 166provide some air circulation to the shot to facilitate loosening of theshot.

Referring to FIGS. 23 to 25 , a further embodiment is illustrated wherea two shot molding process is utilized. The wad 190 comprises apropellant cup portion 192 formed of a first polymer and a shot cupportion 194 formed of a second polymer. The two cup portions are joinedat the partition 198 and have a juncture 200 between the differentpolymers. The propellant cup portion has slits 204 defining fins 206.The shot cup portion having slit segments 210, each with a forward slitend 212 and a rearward slit end 214. The slit segments are displacedfrom the forward edge 218 of the wad. The two materials may bemechanically connected as well as adhered to each other by theovermolding process. Such overmolding or dual injection molding cancreate an intermixing of the polymers at the juncture thereby creating aunitary wad. Either cup portion may be molded first. The fins deploy asdescribed above. Although not illustrated in FIG. 25 , the propellantcup portion may utilize the gussets as described with respect to FIGS.6-13 above.

Referring to FIGS. 26 to 28 a further embodiment of a wad 230 isillustrated utilizing an axially moving disk 232 for effecting anenhancement of the fin deployment. The wad has a propellant cup portion234, a shot cup portion 236, and a partition 238. The disk 232 has astem 240 that seats in a central aperture 244 in the partition. Slits245 define fins 246 extending rearwardly from a bend region 247. Whenthe propellant ignites, the expanding propellant gases drive the diskforwardly and the edges 248 of the disk engage cam surfaces 250 on thefins 246 providing a sustained force thereon urging the fins outward.When the wad escapes the constraint of the barrel, the sustained forcedeploys the fin. The stem can have catches or interfering portions suchthat when forced into the aperture 244, it is retained therein. The finsmay have gussets as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30 , a further wad 260 embodiment of theinvention is illustrated and comprises a dome shaped disk 262. The wad260 has a propellant cup portion 266, a shot cup portion 268, and apartition 270. The propellant cup portion has slits 272 defining fins276 extending rearwardly and may have gussets as described above withrespect to FIGS. 6-13 . Upon firing, the dome shaped disk is compressedinto the bottom 280 of the propellant cup. The axial compression causesa radially outward sustained force that urges the fins outwardly. Whenthe wad exits the barrel, the sustained force aids in deploying thefins, along with the expanding propellant gases.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1-38. (canceled)
 39. A shotshell cartridgecomprising: a casing comprising a forward head portion; and a wadpositioned in the casing, the wad comprising: a forward shot cupportion, a disk, and a rearward propellant cup portion comprising ahinge region, and a plurality of fins arranged circumferentially, theplurality of fins each configured to: extend from the hinge regiondefining a prefiring positon, and upon the wad exiting a barrel when thecartridge is fired, rotate outwardly at the hinge region to a deployedposition, wherein the disk is configured to move rearwardly with respectto the wad to engage the plurality of fins to provide an outward finopening force when the cartridge is fired.
 40. The shotshell cartridgeof claim 39, further comprising propellant positioned in the propellantcup portion, shot positioned in the shot cup portion, and the casingcomprising a primer, wherein the disk is in the shot cup portion of thewad and is configured to move rearwardly due to the inertia of the shot.41. The shotshell cartridge of claim 39, wherein the disk in theprefiring position is spaced from a bottom portion of the shot cupportion, and the disk is configured such that after firing, the diskmoves toward the bottom portion driven by the inertia of the shot. 42.The shotshell cartridge of claim 39, the plurality of fins eachcomprising a cam surface, wherein the disk is configured move rearwardlyto engage the cam surfaces to provide the outward fin opening force whenthe cartridge is fired.
 43. The shotshell cartridge of claim 39, thepropellant cup portion comprising a stop surface configured to inhibitthe plurality of fins from rotating rearwardly beyond the deployedposition, wherein the plurality of fins are configured to retain thedeployed position after firing, and the disk is configured to provide aforce to retain the deployed position.
 44. The shotshell cartridge ofclaim 39, the wad further comprising a partition comprising a baseportion of the propellant cup portion, the partition separating thepropellant cup portion from the shot cup portion.
 45. The shotshellcartridge of claim 39, the shot cup portion of the wad comprising aforward cup interior and a plurality of apertures that are displacedrearwardly from a forward edge of the wad, the aperturescircumferentially spaced around the shot cup portion, further comprisingone or more of: each of the plurality of apertures being sized such thatthey do not open far enough for shot pellets to escape therethroughduring firing of a shotshell cartridge with the wad therein, and each ofthe plurality of apertures extending entirely through a wall of the shotcup portion.
 46. The shotshell cartridge of claim 39, the wad furthercomprising one or more of: the wad being formed by injection molding andcomprising polyethylene, and the forward shot cup portion and therearward propellant cup portion being unitary.
 47. A shotshell cartridgecomprising: a casing comprising a forward head portion; a wad positionedin the casing, the wad comprising: a forward shot cup portion, and arearward propellant cup portion comprising a hinge region, a stopsurface, and a plurality of fins arranged circumferentially, theplurality of fins each configured to: extend forwardly from the hingeregion defining a prefiring positon, and upon the wad exiting a barrelwhen the cartridge is fired, rotate outwardly and rearwardly at thehinge region to a deployed position, and the stop surface is configuredto inhibit the plurality of fins from rotating rearwardly beyond thedeployed position.
 48. The shotshell cartridge of claim 47, the deployedposition of the plurality of fins comprising an obtuse angle from theforward direction of the shotshell cartridge.
 49. The shotshellcartridge of claim 47, wherein, in the prefiring position, the pluralityof fins are separated from the propellant.
 50. The shotshell cartridgeof claim 47, the wad further comprising a partition between the shot cupportion and the propellant cup portion, and wherein, in the prefiringposition, the plurality of fins extend forwardly from the propellant cupportion beyond the partition to the shot cup portion.
 51. The shotshellcartridge of claim 47, wherein the plurality of fins in the prefiringposition define a tapering exterior diameter from the shot cup portion.52. The shotshell cartridge of claim 47, wherein the plurality of finsnumber exactly four.
 53. The shotshell cartridge of claim 47, the wadfurther comprising a disk configured to engage the plurality of finswhen the disk is moved axially to provide an outward fin opening forcewhen the cartridge is fired.
 54. The shotshell cartridge of claim 53,the plurality of fins comprising cam surfaces, and the disk isconfigured to engage the cam surfaces on the plurality of fins when thedisk is moved axially to provide the outward fin opening force when thecartridge is fired.
 55. The shotshell cartridge of claim 53, wherein theplurality of fins are configured to retain the deployed position afterfiring, and the disk is configured to provide a force to retain thedeployed position.
 56. The shotshell cartridge of claim 53, wherein thedisk is positioned in the shot cup portion of the wad and is configuredto move rearwardly due to the inertia of the shot relative to the wadwhen the cartridge is fired.
 57. A wad for a shotshell cartridge, thewad comprising: a forward portion comprising a disk and shot forward ofthe disk; a rearward portion comprising a propellant; and a hinge regionfor a plurality of deployable fins extending forwardly from the hingeregion, the plurality of deployable fins having a first undeployedposition and a second deployed position, each of the plurality ofdeployable fins movable to the second deployed position by rotatingoutwardly and rearwardly about the hinge region by force of the diskmoving rearward.
 58. The wad of claim 57, the forward portion comprisinga forward shot cup portion, and the rearward portion comprising arearward propellant cup portion and the hinge region, wherein the diskis configured to move rearward when driven by the inertia of shot uponthe wad exiting a barrel when the cartridge is fired, and the disk isconfigured to engage cam surfaces of the plurality of deployable fins.